CHRISTMAS PANTOMIMES

Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1932, Page 15

CHRISTMAS PANTOMIMES

ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT. Pantomime acting is ages old. The Romans carried it to a stage of perfection in the reign of Augustus. But that, except for the word,, has very little to do with the modem show which is produced as the Christmas pantomime. The last touches, which in any way entitled the latter day production to be connected with pantomime disappeared when Harlequin and the down with his sausages were dispensed with as an unnecessary addition to the entertainment. It is interesting to discover that what is, by theatrical historians, called the “first English pantomime” was produced on December 26, 1717. .It was entitled “Harlequin Executed” and was described as a new Italian mimic scene, between a Scaramouch, a Harlequin, a country farmer and his wife. This was produced by Rich who had found himself unable to compete with Drury Lane in the legitimate drama and struck out in this line, an invention of his own, although, undoubtedly, inspired by the Italian entertainment of the kind. This could only have been new, however, in its difference of production, as masques “in the high style of Italy” were .among the attractions of the theatres as 'early as 1700. To a certain extent Rich seems to have instituted the later craze for decoration in scenes and dress, as well as mechanical device. With his serious acts he interwove comic acts when stage tricks were performed by the magic of Harlequin’s wand. This was a feature that modem producers exploited With greater and greater freedom. The success of this form of entertainment was immense. Garrick voiced his disapproval of the “depraved” taste. “They in the drama find no joys, But doat on mimicry and toys; Thus, ‘when a dance is in my bill, Nobility my boxes fill; Or send three days before the time,

To crowd a new made pantomime.” The years, however, changed the old pantomime beyond all conception. “Red Riding Hood,” and “Dick Whittington” etc. came along to infuse a children’s dement. All true pantomime disappeared. Harlequin, Columbine, and the Clown became mere clumsy buffoons, relegated to a final act, and eventually discarded altogether. s The Christmas pantomime became a form of entertainment that had nothing at all in common with pantomime. It was specially produced for children, but it needed a political education to understand the jokes. But change is ever working. The Christmas show to-day is a vast improvement upon yesterday. It may not be pantomime, but the word has now gathered such a Christmas touch to itself that it would be a pity if it were allowed to fade from Christmas shows.

THE BABES IN THE WOOD. The Babes in the Wood is one of the most popular themes for a pantomime, despite its unhappy ending. Yet it is more than a mere nursery tale, it is full of. folk lore and even, if some authorities are to ,b e believed', of history. Every nation has stories of animals and birds befriending mankind, and the story of the robins covering the babes with •leaves is but one version.

The history behind the story is very involved. When Richard 111 .was sus- ; pected of having murdered , the two

Of children that be fatherless And infants mild and meek; . Take you example by this thing And yield to each this right. Lest God with such like misery Your wicked minds requite.” The first to dramatise the theme was Yarrington, who in 1606 staged the “lamentable tragedy,” but who placed, the scene in Padua, had only one child hero, made the wicked ruffian stab the merciful one, after being himself mortally wounded. There is little tragedy about the modern pantomime, but it is good to remember that our modem entertainment is sometimes founded upon ancient crime.